Heartbreaks

Although some young romantic relationships can last a long time, often they come to an end. This can be really hard to cope with.

Your child will need to grieve for the loss of something that was special to them. It is important that parents and carers recognise how important the relationship was to them, and how painful the end of a relationship might be.

It is hard to watch your child feel hurt and upset. Don’t feel you have to ‘fix it’. Being there and reassuring them that they will be fine will help.

• Let them know you are available to listen.
• Ask them what they think will help. Sometimes they might want to talk about it, at others need time alone.
• Avoid criticising their ‘ex’ – there is always a chance they will get back together! Remind them to avoid reacting in an angry way to the other person and saying or doing things they might regret. Get them to steer clear of social media!
• Encourage them to distract themselves with friends, films and getting out and about.

Although this is a painful experience your child will learn that they can survive. It is an important lesson. They will know they have a support network to rely on. They are learning to build resilience, this will help them through tough times in the future.

If you are worried that your child is badly affected for longer than you would have expected, with symptoms of low mood get advice. Call your GP or Just One Number to talk to a health professional for support.

Safe Sex

Early relationships with peers of similar ages are not always sexual. If there is an age gap of more than a year or two you may need to be curious about why an older, young person would want to be with them. With bigger age gaps there is likely to be a difference in maturity, and expectations of the relationship. It can mean that the power and control in the relationship sits with the older partner. It is important to be alert to this.

Whilst often first relationships do not involve sex, it is very important that your child understands contraception, sexual health how to keep them self safe.

Being able to talk about this with you, is part of your young person showing they are mature enough for a sexual relationship. It is part of showing respect for themselves and the other person.

Ideally it is great if you feel able to talk to your child about this. If you don’t think you can or you do not think your child will be able to talk to you about it, think about who else your child might trust.

• It could be a family member or friend.
• You could speak to school and ask for a member of staff your child trusts to spend time with them.
• You can give them information from websites and books (check back that they have looked at them!).
• You could help them make an appointment at an iCash (contraceptive and sexual health clinic).

However embarrassed you and / or your child are, it is really important that you do not leave the conversation to chance. Your child needs to know how to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and / or unplanned pregnancy.

Find out more about contraception and safe sex

Consent

Young people can be particularly prone to being persuaded to do things they would rather not do. They can be impulsive and not think through their actions.

Find out more about the teenage brain

Understanding consent is really important for children and young people. They need to know that they get to say what does and does not happen to their bodies. They must respect this for others too.

No always means no – even if you previously said yes. You can always change your mind.

The video below explains consent - you could watch it together.

Abuse In Young Relationships

If your child has had healthy relationship role models as they have grown up they are more likely to find it easier to make healthy relationships themselves. Talking to them about relationships you have had can be useful – the good and the bad.

Some young relationships are not healthy and have signs of abuse. There are different types of abuse in relationships. It is not always as easy to spot as you might think, especially in the early days of a relationship.

It can be easy to misunderstand a partner being possessive, angry and even violent as a sign they ‘really care’. Your child may need help to see any signs of abuse in their relationship. Try not to directly criticise their girlfriend or boyfriend – this will probably make them defensive. Talk about TV characters relationships, things you read or hear about to help the conversation not feel so personal. Ask questions, start conversations and make them think;

• Is it okay when boyfriends / girlfriends try to stop you seeing your friends and family?
• Is it okay for a boyfriend / girlfriend to expect you to change your plans to fit in with them?
• Should a boyfriend / girlfriend criticise the way you look and tell you what to wear?
• Should someone be pressured to do something sexually they are not comfortable with?

Abuse in young relationships is worryingly common, so the risk of this needs to be taken seriously and parents and young people need to be alert to the signs.

If you feel concerned about the relationship your child is in - their safety and wellbeing is the priority. If you are worried that your child is in an abusive relationship it is important to act. You can speak to school for advice or call Just One Number to talk to a health professional and discuss your options. If you think they are in immediate danger call 999.

If you cannot make voice calls, you can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. Emergency SMS is part of the standard 999 service which has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss or difficulty with speech.

Mental Health & Relationships

Forming healthy, positive relationships helps children and young people feel safe and supported as they grow up. However, relationships can change over time for many reasons.

It may be harder for young people to recognise when a relationship is becoming unhealthy and begins to negatively affect their wellbeing. Poor mental health can also create relationship difficulties.

Shame, guilt and resentment

The stigma of a mental health condition can cause communication issues within a relationship. When one person has feelings of shame, guilt or resentment around their condition, it can cause confusion and extra challenges.

Family issues

When a person isolates themselves through bad periods of mental health it can cause issues with their partner's family, leading to feelings of disappointment, rejection and disconnect.

Financial and social resentment

A lack of desire to socialise or struggles to maintain employment can cause friction for co-habiting young adults, or parents and put an extra strain on their relationship. 

Abusive behaviour

Unhealthy relationships are common regardless of someone's mental health. However, if mental health struggles are unmaintained or controlled, behaviour can be harder to predict which can lead to the potential for self-harm, violence or harmful or abusive behaviour. 

Learn to recognise the signs of an unhealthy relationship